Massimo Moratti, the former long-standing president of Inter Milan, has expressed high praise for the club's current head coach, Simone Inzaghi. Speaking recently with Quotidiano Sportivo, Moratti detailed two key qualities about the coach: his proactive tactics and his tendency to stay out of the media spotlight. Moratti's comments come as Inter Milan continues its impressive run under Simone Izaghi, having effectively inherited the role from previous coach Antonio Conte.
When Moratti first appointed Conte, he had lofty expectations. Still, he noted how Izaghi has made the team truly his own over time, even exceeding the achievements of his predecessor.
“He’s made them formidable,” said Moratti, emphasizing how Izaghi is the “added value” of this Inter side. Moratti's unique perspective is driven by his deep connection to the club, shaped by decades of investment and support.
Reflecting on the past, Moratti indicated a preference for the Inter team of the late 1990s under coach Marco Simoni and featuring Brazilian striker Ronaldo, which he claimed was his favorite squad, even if they won less than expected. “They won less than they deserved, and we later learned why,” he noted, referencing the revelations around the infamous Calciopoli scandal.
Moratti’s connection to Inter goes back thirty years to 1995, when he bought the club, famously causing friction with his wife Milly, who would have preferred charitable donations over the significant investment required to run the football club. His response to her discontent was memorable: “Do you know anyone who suffers more than Inter fans, with Berlusconi's Milan winning everything?”
While he admits there’s nostalgia for his era as club president, Moratti recognizes the shift within football. The financial climate has dramatically changed, particularly with the rise of foreign owners dominating clubs worldwide. Speaking about the current ownership structure, Moratti stated, “The world has simply changed, not just the weather.” While expressing appreciation for Oaktree, the club’s current owners, he underscored the emotional nuances of being owned by people who are deeply tied to the club.
Despite this emotional distance, Moratti remains firmly supportive of the current Inter setup, confidently declaring, “I see a team of steel, not losing its way.” Such reassurance about the club's current direction may differ from the sentiment many fans feel toward their club and its management.
What adds to the intrigue surrounding Moratti is the continuous speculation about Jose Mourinho, the former coach often linked with returning to Inter. Moratti clarified, “There was no solid contact. I only sent him an SMS out of curiosity and not for projects or to hire him,” effectively quashing rumors about his possible comeback.
The blend of personal history, management philosophy, and present aspirations clearly shapes Moratti’s perspective on Inter Milan. Looking back, he isn’t shy about sharing his sentiments tied to specific teams and their accomplishments. “No, I wouldn’t say Mourinho’s Treble-winning team was my favorite,” Moratti stated, instead reaffirming the emotional weight of the team he built around the first Ronaldo.
With age advancing—it will soon be his 80th birthday—he hopes to return to the iconic San Siro Stadium, reinforcing his lasting connection to the club. “I hope to see you there soon; it depends on my health,” he remarked, signaling the enduring affection he retains for Inter Milan.
Beyond the thinly veiled sentiments surrounding ownership and nostalgia, Moratti's remarks encapsulate the essence of football’s evolution, underlining the challenges between emotion and profitability. The great debates continue about the future of football, where legacy sometimes battles against the cold, hard facts of modern economic pressures. Nonetheless, within this backdrop, Moratti's admiration for Izaghi stands out as perhaps the most poignant affirmation of his lasting affinity for the Nerazzurri and the values they embody.
